China’s potato industry and potential impacts on the global market

Abstract

While China has been the world’s largest potato producer since 1993 and accounted for more than 80% of the increase in global potato production from 1990 to 2002, few studies have analyzed the remarkable growth in China’s potato industry and its potential impacts on the global market. This paper reviews the development and growth of China’s potato industry since 1961, especially since the economic reforms started in 1978, identifies major factors that have contributed to the dramatic growth in China’s potato production in the past two decades, examines the trends of China’s potato production and consumption, and discusses the potential impacts of China’s potato industry on the global market. Results suggest that China’s ongoing transitions in economic system and food-consumption patterns will contribute to further growth in its potato market and China’s potato output may reach 71 mmt in 2006 and 81 mmt in 2010. Furthermore, China as the world’s largest potato producer and a new member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) will play an increasing role in the global market of potatoes and potato products.